Llama

Llama is Meta’s family of large language models, and it has become one of the most important names in open AI. Unlike closed models locked behind an API, Llama models are released with open weights you can download, run, and fine-tune yourself — free under a community license. That openness has made Llama a foundation for countless AI applications, giving developers and companies a capable, self-hostable alternative to closed models.

What is Llama?

Llama is Meta’s family of open-weight large language models, released so developers can download, run, fine-tune, and build on them rather than only accessing a closed API. Successive generations have improved capability, context length, and multimodal support, and the family typically spans a range of model sizes so you can choose between smaller, efficient models and larger, more capable ones depending on your hardware and needs. Llama models are widely available: you can download the weights to self-host, or use them through many cloud and inference providers that offer hosted Llama endpoints. Because they are open, Llama models can be run privately, customized deeply, and embedded into products without per-token dependence on a single vendor. They are released under Meta’s community license (which includes some terms for very large-scale commercial use), and are free to download and run.

What it does well

• Open weights: download, run, and fine-tune the models yourself.
• Range of sizes: pick efficient or more capable models.
• Widely available: self-host or use hosted endpoints from many providers.
• Free to use: open under Meta’s community license.

Who it is for

Llama fits developers, startups, researchers, and enterprises that want capable large language models they can run privately, customize deeply, and build products on — without being tied to a single closed-API vendor. Its range of sizes suits everything from on-device and edge use to large hosted deployments. Non-technical users wanting a finished chatbot will use apps built on Llama rather than the models directly, and running larger models needs real hardware, but for open, self-hostable, customizable LLMs, Llama is a foundational, excellent choice.

Things to keep in mind

• Running larger models requires capable GPU hardware or a hosted provider.
• The community license includes terms for very large-scale commercial use.
• As with any LLM, outputs should be reviewed and used responsibly.

Our verdict

Llama is one of the most important open-weight LLM families available, and its openness is the whole point: you can download, run, fine-tune, and embed the models yourself, free under Meta’s community license, rather than depending on a single closed API. A range of model sizes and broad availability — self-hosted or via many hosted providers — make it flexible for everything from edge use to large deployments. Bigger models need real hardware and outputs need review, but for open, customizable, self-hostable LLMs, Llama is a foundational, excellent choice.

Frequently asked questions

What is Llama?

Llama is Meta’s family of open-weight large language models that developers can download, run, fine-tune, and build on, rather than only accessing through a closed API.

Is Llama free?

Yes, Llama models are free to download and run under Meta’s community license (which includes terms for very large-scale commercial use), with hosted access available via many providers.

How do people use Llama?

Developers self-host the open weights or use hosted Llama endpoints from cloud and inference providers to power chatbots, apps, and AI features.

Who is Llama for?

It is for developers, startups, researchers, and enterprises that want capable LLMs they can run privately, customize, and build on without a single closed-API vendor.